Charlestown, RI

The Chris Hinds Memorial Criterium is a fitting tribute to a monument of the Rhode Island cycling community. Chris Hinds passed away in 2002, and the eponymous race held to benefit his family has become a New England institution in the years since.

Kenda/Raleigh brought a team of six to Ninigret Park, the fabled stomping grounds of the team’s sole Rhode Island resident, Adam Sullivan, on a day when peeks of sun commingled with fog, a cool ocean breeze, and hints of thunder. When the gun went off, Mukunda Feldman rolled off with two others in tow and dangled in front of the peloton for a few laps. This set up a strong counter by Sean O’Rourke and a counter to the counter by Adam Sullivan at minute 25 of the 90 minute race.

Sullivan’s move drew out a viable group and the move looked like a good one to be in so Jason Beerman bridged up. With two Kenda/Raleigh guys up the road, the rest of the team patrolled the field and plotted a counter in case things came back together. The break rolled along but slowly, ones and twos bridged up and the move got too big for fluidity. Beerman attacked and drew a group of three others and the four rolled a steady pace for a few laps. This break was eventually caught by a hard chase from behind, as the front of the field split latched on. Sensing a lull, Beerman immediately countered and once again drew out three others with six laps to go. The four gained ten seconds and rolled through steadily. With one to go, Beerman attacked into the headwind section to try and forgo a sprint, but he was caught at the penultimate corner and was forced to lead out the tailwind sprint, holding on for third place and a podium spot.

The team, at the behest of Adam Sullivan, had agreed before the race to donate any race winnings back to the race promoter to augment the monies raised for the family of Chris Hinds. Thanks to Jonathan Lowenstein, Arc en Ciel Racing Team, and Providence Velo for a great race for a great cause.

Full results are here.